Engineering exosome-based CRISPR therapies to clear HBV infection
Official title: Engineering exosomes for new gRNA/Cas therapeutics to eliminate HBV infection
Funded at East Tennessee State University · NIH-11515045 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing look at a hopeful new approach that uses engineered exosomes to deliver CRISPR-based therapies aimed at eliminating HBV from infected cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | East Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Johnson City, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $587,500 |
| NIH project number | 4R33AI179794-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11515045 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with chronic HBV infection who could benefit from future gene-editing therapies once safety and efficacy are established.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to advanced therapies or with conditions incompatible with gene-editing approaches may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on creating exosome carriers to deliver a precise CRISPR/Cas system that targets HBV in liver cells. Researchers plan to optimize single-guide RNAs and explore non-viral delivery methods to minimize safety concerns. If successful, this approach could reduce or remove persistent HBV reservoirs that current treatments can’t clear. The project is conducted in animal models and uses cutting-edge gene-editing technology to move toward a potential curative strategy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with chronic HBV could achieve a functional cure with fewer long-term medications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CRISPR-based HBV approaches show promise in lab models, but delivery and safety remain major challenges which this project aims to address.
Where this research is happening
-
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yao, Zhi Q. — East Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Yao, Zhi Q.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.